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Original poster

Graffiti boys go to jail

72 replies

Lizalu · 15/09/2007 00:22

Two boys aged 18 and 20 sentenced to two years in prison for painting a train.
OK they caused criminal damage but two years and a lot of money to prosecute them just seems silly. The trains still need cleaning and these lads were on thier way to university. They were also active in the community.They should have made them clean the trains or something similar. "Have a look here"

OP posts:
newlifenewname · 15/09/2007 11:29

Graffiti is art - it's just not appreciated.

Train 'art' is pants. Graffiti iss uber cool.

figroll · 15/09/2007 11:34

My parents have to live in a house overlooking such "art" everyday. They probably wouldn't agree that it is beautiful and enhanced their life in any way whatsoever. They come out of their door, aged 83 and 80, to read the CHAC is a fr, and they are overwhelmed by the intelligence and artistic nature of the work they see. Each weekend, more profound work is deposited on the wall and postbox.

Sometimes, my mother paints it away, but you can guarantee that CHAC's friends will return to remind my mum that he really is a fr.

Who sympathises with my mums stress?

newlifenewname · 15/09/2007 11:37

A beautiful little cottage opposite me has a white 'CFC' daubed on one of its walls.

That is offensive and unattractive but proper graffiti - as opposed to illiterate rambling vandalism - is beautiful and intelligent and inspiring.

katybump · 15/09/2007 11:50

i agree about proper graffiti being art newlife.i like alot of banksy stuff

do not agree about mindless graffiti though.i think there should be an outlet for the genuinely talented like they did with that castle.can't remember where it was though

Wisteria · 15/09/2007 11:57

No, sorry can't possibly agree with prison for this. Yes, it's wrong but not as wrong as the teens round here scribbling rubbish graffiti everywhere in full view of the police who never even arrest them for it. Certainly not as wrong as burglary.

They were on their way to Uni, in all probability they would have grown out of it channeled their talents elsewhere and ended up being useful members of society.

What chance do they have now? I am certainly not condoning what they did but a prison sentence for a first offence unless it directly endangered someones life/ health etc, to me is OTT.

edam · 15/09/2007 12:11

I didn't say that, M2P, I just pointed out the inconsistency in the sentencing. I happen to think CL should have got a much longer sentence.

unknownrebelbang · 15/09/2007 12:58

Wisteria - don't write them off because they have received a prison sentence.

IF they have the support of their families and friends, they will come out of prison and can move forward.

Their plans may have to change - but then being a convicted offender, with or without a prison sentence, would alter their eligibility to apply for certain jobs anyway. Not sure how it would affect uni plans in the immediate future, have no experience, but it won't stop them from going to university in the future, if they choose too.

Wisteria · 15/09/2007 14:12

hi rebel

I wouldn't dream of writing them off personally, but do feel that the likelihood is, they will turn to a life of crime as the options will be limited for them afterwards. Not sure of the statistics exactly but I know that there is more chance of re-offending for youngsters once they have been sent away to an institution - not to mention what they will go through in there.
I agree with everything you say and hope to goodness that they will pull through it all and carry on with their plans. Future employers sadly, will take a prison sentence more seriously than community service/ fines. I don't agree with the imprisonment of young offenders in general.

The graffiti in question, although undoubtedly wrong, was not abusive or on private property and I believe that they would have been better served by being made to clean it and do some form of community service for the good of the area - cleaning all graffiti in the locality for example.

What is to be achieved by locking them up with a load of other criminals? I think it is a backwards and outdated sentence.

NadineBaggott · 15/09/2007 14:18

its not that this sentence is too long its that other sentences for more serious crimes are too short!

FluffyMummy123 · 15/09/2007 14:19

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NadineBaggott · 15/09/2007 14:20

one of 'them'?

so they've been in trouble before?

FluffyMummy123 · 15/09/2007 14:21

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Wisteria · 15/09/2007 14:25

OK - so if they were persistent offenders then it changes things slightly and (call me a mad hippy if you like) but I don't agree with prison sentences for young offenders (unless they are causing harm to people, violent etc).

Are you a judge then Cod? I never knew that, shall call you m'lud from now on and doff cap at every opportunity

FluffyMummy123 · 15/09/2007 14:25

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FluffyMummy123 · 15/09/2007 14:26

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Wisteria · 15/09/2007 14:26

can't you rap your gavel in a stern and threatening manner??

Ah g'wan, g'wan, g'wan, you know you want to

FluffyMummy123 · 15/09/2007 14:27

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kiskidee · 15/09/2007 14:28

18 & 20 yr old 'boys'? these are men. sorry. no sympathy. whilst in jail, they will have access to education, if they really want it. some people need to go through a process so that they can show respect for themselves and others.

unknownrebelbang · 15/09/2007 14:29

I wondered if there were pre-cons.

Wisteria · 15/09/2007 14:29

was that nob head or bone head - your posts are getting harder to read and was it aimed at me or them....... really can't work it out today.

FluffyMummy123 · 15/09/2007 14:29

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FluffyMummy123 · 15/09/2007 14:30

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Wisteria · 15/09/2007 14:31

Aaah - the misty wisty cod fog is clearing, I geddit now....

Yes, huge compo I would agree with.

FluffyMummy123 · 15/09/2007 14:32

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unknownrebelbang · 15/09/2007 14:33

rofl - that just about sums it up Cod.